Our Reading: Psalm 148 & Ephesians 4:4-8

This final week of studying the Psalms is all about praise and this Psalm declares universal praise for the name of the Lord. It has a beautiful connection to the creation account of Genesis. God first created the heavenly places to include the heavenly lights. In v 1-6, we see a call for praise from these heavenly dwellings to include the angels, the Sun, moon, and stars. The heavenly realm and it’s angelic hosts are present because God created them. With precision and cosmic fine tuning, he keeps all the galaxies, including our solar system in perfect harmonious order. “Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Next God created the features of the landscape of earth and its mighty oceans and filled it with living creatures. He established the weather patterns and ecosystems that could sustain life. Verses 7-10 bid praise from the elements, the creatures of land, sea, and air.

And finally, he created mankind and bid all people to praise Him from every walk of life, race, sex and generation. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭13‬ ‭

Not only did He create every physical element necessary for life but He created and sustains all of the vast components and systems necessary to preserve life. Not only did He create it but He rules over it, having a vast passion to connect to mankind, whom He so lovingly placed here to be in relationship with. 

“Therefore ought the Lord to be praised because he is Preserver as well as Creator, Ruler as well as Maker.” (Spurgeon)

The peaceful, harmonious, and intimate relationship man first enjoyed in the Garden of Eden was destroyed when man decided to embrace sin and to put self on the throne of his heart. But, God, in His abundant mercy and passionate concern for man’s spiritual well-being, provided a promise of coming salvation for his people to hope in.

“He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭14‬ ‭

The raised horn refers to a bull raising its horns after a victory and biblically is connected to victory, especially from oppression. Jesus was the promised raised horn. God, graciously stepped down from His exalted position to clothe himself in the humble cloak of human flesh. He willingly endured first hand the experience of being like us so that He could ultimately connect to us and save us. There is no greater act of mercy, compassion, or love! When we meditate on this, the awe of God and His love for each of us should bid our praise. 

“He is himself the crown of all things, the excellency of the creation. There is more glory in him personally than in all his works united. It is not possible for us to exceed and become extravagant in the Lord’s praise: his own natural glory is infinitely greater than any glory which we can render to him.” (Spurgeon)

As we have studied the Psalms together, I hope that you have been able to grow in your knowledge and personal connection with God. I hope that you have developed an ever expanding awe and admiration for the One who made you and the world that sustains life for you. I hope that from a heart surrendered to God, you find praise and worship freely flowing,extending out to touch those you encounter and rising to the heavenly realm in prayerful paise and jubilant exaltation. May your life be a continual act of bidding Him praise.!

The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.-John Piper

Prayer: Father, we thank You for the amazing world that You have created and how it reflects Your wisdom, Your sovereignty, and Your majestic power. We thank You for not only creating us and sustaining us, but for sending your beloved Son, Jesus, to be our raised horn of salvation from the oppression of sin. May praise become a genuine outpouring from the depths of our hearts. 

Our Reading: Psalm 143 & Isaiah 57:16

David shows us that even back in the OT days, God was a righteous God who also exercised forbearance (patient self-control, restraint, and tolerance). David understood his sinful condition and the sinful condition of all of mankind. He understood his own guilt and inability to save himself. It was with this humility that he approached God and asked for His mercy.

“Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.” (v2)

This is the understanding that we have to approach God with in order to be shown His mercy and forgiveness. We have to be aware of our sinful nature and that we are not capable of being righteous in our own endeavors. 

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭

We must realize that we are 100% dependent on Christ for our righteousness and his sacrificial love that provides for our salvation. 

“as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬, ‭23‬-‭25‬ 

No matter if our circumstances are going well or, as David faced in this Psalm, not so well, God is an ever present need in our lives. He doesn’t just want to be the One we call upon when we have crisis needs but the One we call upon for our deepest, daily spiritual needs. David longed for connection with God and considered it his most vital need. Like deep rooted relationships, he had history with God to reflect upon. 

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah” (v5-6)

David’s relationship with God was built on his willingness to perform 2 important actions

1. Trust: He trusted that God loved him and would direct him. “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (v8)
2. Obey: He was humble and teachable, willing to yield to God’s instruction. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (v10)

It sounds simple to just trust and obey but it can be a daily challenge to do so. That’s why it is so important to stay connected to Him and grounded in His Word. It’s not enough to know about Him but we have to get to personally know Him by spending time with Him and yielding our heart to His discipline and love. Each of us will have different experiences and opportunities. As we grow closer to Him, we have more history with Him to draw strength from and more wisdom from Him to share with others. We only get one life to live.  Each day we decide if we will journey alone or journey with Him. 

You will not obey Him, if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him. - Henry Blackaby

Reflection:

1. Have you taken that step of recognizing your absolute need for atonement because of your sinful state and accepted the complete unmerited salvation provided by Christ alone?
2. How well do you know your Savior? How well do you want to know Him?

Prayer: Father, how grateful we are that You are so patient and forbearing, and have provided a way for us to connect to You. Forgive us when we take that for granted and do not make the wise choice of seeking You and growing in our walk with You. Help us to know You more intimately and to be able to trust and cherish You as the vital source of spiritual life that we so desperately need.

Our Reading: Psalm 138 & Luke 1:46-55

This Psalm made me stop and really think about my own level of devotion and faithfulness to God. Perhaps, I can ask you some of the same questions that came to my mind, and you can self examine as well. What is your devotion level to God? How much trust and faith in God are you willing to show others? Can you, as the Psalmist proclaims, have whole hearted gratitude?

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;” (v1)

There are conflicting opinions about whom “the gods” are in this verse but should it really matter if you are convinced that only Yahwe is worthy of praise? Would you be willing to declare Him as the object of your worship and loyalty no matter whose presence you were in? Would you even be willing to do so if it weren’t the popular opinion or perhaps could even be met with harassment or danger?

This Psalmist placed great confidence in the majestic faithfulness of God? How often do you bow before God in awe and wonder? How solidly do you stand upon His Word and apply it to how you live your life?

“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” (v2)

Have you known hard times and dark days when you wanted to give in to despair and angst? What was your response? Where did you turn for comfort? Did you immediately call upon the Lord for help? Did you draw your strength from Him?

“On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.” (v3)

When others are working in opposition to you, do you try to take matters into your own hands and make your own plan of deliverance or do you wait and entrust your circumstances to God?

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (v7)

What about your pride and self sufficiency? Does it move you away from God as you focus on your own gain or what you perceive to be worthy of your time and effort? Or do you remain humble and dependent upon God even if the tasks he assigns to you don’t carry the applause or excitement you would like them to? 

“For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” (v6)

In present culture, man’s focus seems to be on the power of position, the glory of self identity, and gaining recognition or clout. As man elevates himself, he sabotages his eternal future.

“Proud men boast loudly of their culture and ‘the freedom of thought,’ and even dare to criticize their Maker: but he knows them from afar, and will keep them at arm’s length in this life, and shut them up in hell in the next.” (Spurgeon)

Yes, this Psalm challenged me to take a long, hard look at the motives of my own decisions, actions, and attitudes. Do you know where I found my whole hearted gratitude? It was in appreciation that no matter how much I miss the mark, I only have to humble myself and He can turn it all around. He is still working on me and praise God, He won’t give up. 

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (v8)

My prayer is that in all my journeys upon this Earth, God will keep my heart humble and grateful and that He will see me through to the end! 

“His creating hands formed our souls at the beginning; his nail-pierced hands redeemed them on Calvary; his glorified hands will hold our souls fast and not let them go for ever.” (Burgon, cited in Spurgeon).  

Prayer: Father, may we bring to You our wholehearted praise and adoration. May we walk humbly and know the sweetness of Your presence as You draw near to us. May we confess and put away all self seeking pride that pushes You away.  May we be willing to hold fast to the seemingly lowly tasks we may we be asked to do, and do them with loyal obedience as unto You. May we take comfort in knowing that You are still at work in our hearts and You will complete Your purposes for us. You will never let us go.

Our Reading: Psalm 128 and Hebrews 5:7-10

The family unit is very important in Scripture. This Psalm was one of the Psalms sung as families would travel together to Jerusalem to attend one of the yearly feasts. God’s Word places great emphasis on the importance of having fear and reverence for God as the foundation of a blessed and fruitful family. 

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” ‭‭(v1‬) There is a caveat to be found in the Psalm, however, to warn us that we have to be willing to not just talk the talk but walk the walk and put forth some intentional effort if we expect fruitful results.

“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” (v2)

As a child raised in a home that was largely based on conflict between what was taught and what was lived out, I know firsthand the confusion and pain that this can cause. But, I also was blessed to witness the opposite situation from spending a lot of time in my Grandmother’s home where I got to see the genuine labor of my Grandmother’s hands plant many fruitful seeds in my heart. 

It is very important to be genuine and consistent in living your convictions. This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect but it means that you should humbly repent and apologize when you falter and you should seek God’s help in your endeavors. If you are not genuine in your Christian walk, you may fool people on the outside but you won’t fool those closest to you and you certainly won’t fool God.  The harm that can be done to your spouse and children and even future generations is not to be taken lightly.

“It is idle to talk of fearing the Lord if we act like those who have no care whether there be a God or no. God’s ways will be our ways if we have a sincere reverence for him: if the heart is joined unto God, the feet will follow hard after him.” (Spurgeon)

“Your own family circle knows whether Christ lives in you and through you.”

Billy Graham

A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian... and most of all, his family ought to know. - Dwight L. Moody

No family is perfect and God can certainly mend broken family dynamics. It’s never too late to turn relationships around and heal wounds of the past. I have seen God do just that with one of my parents and I am still hopeful that I will see Him perform a miracle of restoration with my other parent. It comforts me to read this Psalm and see that a unified and thriving family is what God ultimately desires too. 

So as the women in our families, what can we contribute.

If we are mothers and are raising our children:

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬ ‭

If we are wives: “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” (v3) Although being fruitful often means bearing children, there are so many other ways of bearing fruit and enriching the lives of our homes.

“Good wives are also fruitful in kindness, thrift, helpfulness, and affection: if they bear no children, they are by no means barren if they yield us the wine of consolation and the clusters of comfort.” (Spurgeon)

As women, we have many roles, including being wives, mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins, nieces, friends, etc. Whatever “our” family is composed of, our role is to fear God and allow the love and glory of Christ to shine through us so that we can know His blessings and our families can be blessed as well. Fearing God means that we live by His standards, and walk daily with Him.

“We need to place God at the center of our family . . . As a family, we need to walk with God daily.” -Billy Graham

Reflection: 

1. Think about your family growing up. Did you have the blessing of people in your life who feared God and walked daily with Him? How do you think having that or not having that impacted you?
2. Are you in need of reconciliation in your family? Do you pray for your loved ones and for God to mend and restore what is broken?
3. Do you put God as the center of “your” family now? Would those closest to you know that you truly feared God and let His Word guide your life? 

Prayer: Father, we are part of Your family and we know that the unity of the family unit is very important to You. We pray for Your help to encourage and inspire our loved ones to fear and honor You as we try to live those principles with the help of Your Spirit. We pray for healing and restoration for any broken or wounded relationships. We know that through our obedience, You can bless our families. May we grow in the love of Christ and extend it humbly to one another.

Our Reading: Psalm 118 & 2 Cor 4:13-15, 1 Thess 4:13-18

Out of all of the promises that God makes, one of the most comforting in this life is to know that He promises to never leave us. No matter where we are or what is happening, He is there by our side.  The other day I left in a hurry to go pick up some groceries and I left my cell phone behind. There was a brief moment of panic and vulnerability that I felt when I first realized I was without means of getting in touch with someone in case of an emergency and then I calmed myself by realizing that I was not alone. God was with me. I remembered back to all of the times I had to travel remote and potentially dangerous places before cell phones were even an option. I don’t remember being uneasy back then. I just did what I had to do and trusted that God would be with me. And, when needs arose, there was always a solution or means of help provided. How comforting it was to ask for God’s protection and provision and rest at ease in knowing He was there. 

In this Psalm, the Psalmist proclaims the faithfulness of God to be by our side and He reminds us of why we can trust God to be there for us. Over and over, He emphasizes “His steadfast love endures forever!”  Whatever distresses us, we can ask for His help, which includes protection from enemies and potential harm against us. “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. (v5‬-‭7‬)

When the Israelites were afraid to take the Promised Land, God assured them that they were not going into battle alone. He had promised them the land and He would protect them. But, the people had to trust. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ 

‭‭Sometimes life pushes our limits and that can be a good thing because it makes us rely on Him. “I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” (v13‬-‭14‬).Hardship can be a tool that God uses to mold us and prepare us to be used by Him. If you read through the Bible, you will find that God did not make life easy for His people but His hand of providence was always there. God often used very challenging circumstances to prepare the ones who would be faithful in trusting Him to serve in tasks that brought Him glory and honor.

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis

Because the Lord is with us and cares about our spiritual maturity, He disciplines us. It is not pleasant but it is a blessing nonetheless because it means that He loves us and is at work in our hearts. “The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. “(v18‬-‭19‬).  When we feel His heavy hand of discipline, we know that we are His and He loves us enough to not let us remain in our current state. He presses us to greater maturity and a closer relationship with Him. Again, we can find countless stories where God orchestrated the chain of events in the lives of His people to bring about His purposes. “God has and always will remain faithful to His word. Even when my doubts and fears threaten to drown me as I thrash blindly against my Rescuer, He carries me to the other side. When fiery circumstances take my breath away, He hides me in the shelter of His wings. “- Author: Katherine J. Walden

In this Psalm, we have a foretelling of God’s provision for man’s salvation. Even when Adam disobeyed God, He loved mankind enough to provide Christ, “ the cornerstone “ of our eternal salvation. God did not give up on us then and He remains faithful. “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (v 20-23).

How blessed we are, no matter what circumstances we must navigate in this life to know that God is by our side and has provided for our eternal destiny. Even when we must walk “seemingly alone” through the door of death, He promises to be with us. We can count on His love, His discipline, His provision, and we can count on spending eternity with Him. 

Reflection: 

1. This Psalm tells us it is better to trust in God than man, or princes. What else in your life might be something you tend to put a lot of trust in other than Him?
2. Have you ever had a circumstance where you felt alone or vulnerable and were comforted by the realization that God was there and taking care of you? 
3. Can you imagine how truly lonely it must be when an atheist faces death without the Lord? Does it burden your heart to pray for others and share your faith? 

Prayer: Father, how grateful we are that we are never alone for You are always there for us. You carry us through the ups and downs of this life, with guidance and provision for our needs. You are always at work to conform us to the likeness of Jesus and always acting on our behalf out of deep and profound love. We praise You for the security of our salvation,and the peace of knowing that You will even walk with us through earthly death and carry us into eternal glory with You. 

Our Reading: Psalm 113 & Exodus 14:21-25

From the beginning of time, God had a purpose for mankind. God had a purpose for you. He created each of us with the blessed privilege of having relationship with Him and you and I were made to glorify Him. God breathed life into Adam and when spiritual death came through Adam’s disobedience, He already had a plan in place to breathe spiritual life into mankind again. We have the choice of staying on a straight road that dead ends with eternal spiritual death or we can choose to enter that freely offered Circle of Life (eternal spiritual life). If we truly grasp the magnitude of such a privilege and deliverance from bondage, then we can join with the Psalmist and proclaim His praise in a never ending cycle, from sunrise to sunset. 

“Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” v2-3

Does it ever amaze you that the God of the Universe even cares about what happens on this tiny planet that barely takes up more than a speck of cosmic dust in relation to the vastness of space? 

“The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” v4-6

Not only did God consider mankind but He humbled himself by becoming our Salvation through Jesus. Do you ever wonder what was on Jesus’ mind the last night he spent with the disciples?  Psalm 113-118 were part of the Passover Celebration that commemorated the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Psalm 113-114 were sung before the meal. Based on this information, Jesus would very likely have joined in singing these words the night he was arrested. As he celebrated that Passover meal, I think we were on His mind. You and I. 

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.” v7-8

We are part of that Circle of Life for God made us with purpose. What happened all those years ago on Calvary and what is happening as we live our lives today and what will come to pass as we enter Eternity with Him, will all be part of God’s design. It truly is an amazing love story that we get to be part of.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭

This Psalm is short and yet it speaks volumes. It begins and ends with “Praise the Lord” I love Spurgeon’s thoughts on a continual circle of praise. I think it fitting that if God provides us a Circle of Life we should provide Him a Circle of Praise.

“The music concludes upon its key-note. The Psalm is a circle, ending where it began, praising the Lord from its first syllable to its last. May our life-psalm partake of the same character, and never know a break or a conclusion. In an endless circle let us bless the Lord, whose mercies never cease.” (Spurgeon)

Prayer: Father, we are grateful that You care about us, the lowly and needy. We are grateful that You cared enough about us to make a way for our salvation from sin and death. You loved us enough to create us with purpose and we want to honor and glorify You with our lives. May our praise to You be an unending circle, from sunrise to sunset. May our every breath magnify You.

Our Reading: Psalm 103, Isaiah 12:3-6, & John 15:10

Perspective and attitude make all the difference. We have not had opportunity to meet with David or engage him in conversation, but he has shown us the deepest essence of his heart. David’s heart was sure of God’s heart and because of that every fiber of his being was grateful and reverent. Worship naturally flowed from his innermost being because he meditated upon and did not take for granted the unmerited blessings God had provided.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” v1-2

Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? Apparently David had that habit for he begins to make a list. Included here:

• God forgives our iniquities. (v3) David certainly had great iniquities, including adultery and murder and he understood the blessing of forgiveness. Without God’s forgiveness there could be no other blessings at all for we could not have relationship with God. All sin separates us from God and there is nothing we can do to bridge that gap. Only God can make us holy.
• God heals our diseases. (v3) God does not cure every physical illness or infirmity this side of Heaven. David knew that for God did not spare the life of his infant child. But there is healing in our relationship with God. Only He can heal the pain and affliction of sin upon our hearts, souls, and minds. Sometimes, He may also provide us physical healing in this life.
• God redeems our life from the pit. (v4) David knew dark places and caves where he had to hide from those who wanted to take his life. God protected him and sustained Him in his darkest days. God can sustain us through our trials as well and provide eternal life for us, sparing us the death we deserve.
• God crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. (V4) God favors us. We get His abundant never ending, unchangeable love and mercy. We get to be adopted into His royal forever family.

As we continue to read through this Psalm, we see that David is just getting started. He continues to list out the wonders of God and God’s mercy and favor upon man. I think my favorite verses, however, describe the God who is compassionate toward us, remembering that we struggle, and muck things up and can be bratty, and selfish and ungrateful. He remembers our limitations and He is patient with us. We may fail Him many times over but His love is bigger than any of our limitations. 

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,” (v13‬-‭17‬)

Refection: 

1. Just reading David’s gratitude list lifts my heart. How about yours? Do you think gratitude is necessary to offer true praise and honor to God?
2. What would be included in your gratitude list? Do you make a habit of not forgetting God’s goodness and mercy toward you? Do you tell others?
3. Like a loving father, God disciplines us but He doesn’t give up on us. Does it  encourage you to know that God knows your limitations and loves You anyway? Does that make it easier to repent and seek restoration? 

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your many blessings and we want to give You praise and adoration that comes from our innermost being. How blessed we are to have a Father who forgives us, disciplines and teaches us and is ever patient and merciful to us. Your forgiveness is beyond our ability to forgive and Your love is beyond our ability to love. May our hearts ever grow to know and trust Your heart. May we join the psalmist in worship: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,”

Our Reading: Psalm 88 & Rev 21: 24-26

Sometimes God allows us to get to a point where we realize that we are in a desperate situation with needs that only He can meet. 

Although Psalm 88 is referred to as “the saddest Psalm”, the author knows who to turn to in his struggles and to whom He should make his earnest pleas.

“O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!” Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

Have you ever known desperation and unspeakable sorrow that rocks your whole world? Perhaps it is the grief of great loss, the news of a terminal illness, the devastation of financial hardship or perhaps it is the greatest thing that can trouble a soul….the turmoil and depravity of sin.  Whatever trouble visits you, know that this Psalm is a testimony that you have not walked this path alone. The Psalmist cries out to God, with lamenting and tears as He bares his deep heartache. 

“For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.”  Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭3‬ 

(Sheol refers to “ the abode of the dead.”)

Have you been so stricken with sorrow or other circumstances that you felt as if God himself has abandoned you or caused your suffering? Or perhaps just didn’t seem to care? The wording of the Psalmist seems to imply this perspective and it reminds me a lot of the story of Job who struggled to understand why he suffered so much. 

“You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah” Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭

In the dark valleys of life, it may seem that we are alone, weak, helpless and God doesn’t care, but God’s Word proclaims His promises that even in our sorrows and sufferings, nothing can separate us from His love.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭35‬ ‭

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭

This Psalm isn’t like the other Psalms where there is a turn around or expression of hope, and yet the hope is present in a very important way.  The Psalmist may be at his lowest low but he doesn’t stop doing a very important thing….seeking God /praying. 

“my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭9‬ 

“But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭88‬:‭13‬ ‭

When all seems dark and uncertain, don’t give up. Take it to the Lord in prayer, often and earnestly. Lay your troubled burdens at His feet. 

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ 

Reflection:

1. Can you relate to the sadness and despair that this Psalmist has known? 
2. How do you respond toward God when your heart is aching and you don’t get immediate answers or relief?
3. How persistent are you in seeking the Lord in prayer?

Prayer: Father, we often long for answers, comfort, and the peace that only You can provide. When the answers seem far away and we even question if You care, please forgive our doubting, wounded hearts. As we draw near to You, we pray that You would draw ever nearer to us. Sustain us Lord as we learn to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and to embrace the trials, knowing that You can even orchestrate good from our pain. Help us persevere and reap the rewards of our faithfulness! 

Our Reading: Psalm 78 and  Deut.6:6-9; Matt. 13:34-35               

The Bible is full of wonderful stories and rich history. These stories have survived for thousands of generations and they serve to teach us about a God who remains faithful and merciful even when His people doubt and rebel against Him. “Psalm 78 is the longest of the historical psalms. Its lesson is that history must not repeat itself. The people must never again be unbelieving.” (James Montgomery Boice)

The Bible is meant to be shared, and it’s truths passed on from one generation to the next. God entrusts parents to pass on to their children a knowledge of the Bible but more importantly an understanding of the lessons of the Bible so that they will trust God and place their faith in Him. 

“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.”  Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭

Through the historical accounts of this Psalm, we see over and over again how God worked in miraculous ways to provide for the needs of His people and yet they still struggled with doubt and unbelief? “In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.” Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭32‬ ‭ “Israel had seen the wonderful works of God, cleaving the sea, lighting the night, and giving water from rocks. Yet they questioned God’s ability to give bread, and to spread out a table in the wilderness.” (Meyer)

Not only were they full of unbelief and complaints, but they also chose to dishonor God through disobedience and raise other idols up to displace His importance in their lives.

“Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols.”  Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭56‬-‭58‬

These are the oft repeated sins of the generations which have preceded us. 

1. Tendency to complain about what or how God provides
2. Tendency to doubt God’s abilities and faithfulness.

“Nothing is more provoking to God, than our quarrelling with our allotment, and indulging the desires of the flesh.” (Henry, cited in Spurgeon)

How important it is to ground ourselves and each other in the truths of God. The Bible is testimony to a God who loves us, is patient and merciful to us, and longs to provide what we need.  He is always at work and we have to be patient and trusting, especially if it is difficult to see Him at work. Even after all their disobedience and rebellion, God remained faithful to His promises and His plan was not deterred.  He chose the young boy David and prepared him to be a King of his time, and the forerunner of the King of Kings…Jesus. 

 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭70‬-‭72‬ ‭

Reflection: 

1. Are you prone to grumbling, complaining and impatience with God or do you try to remain grateful and expectant that He is at work, and will reveal His will, in His time? 
2. Do you spend time in His Word, learning the valuable lessons He has provided and sharing those treasured findings with others? Do you bless future generations with the example of living a godly life?

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the lessons and wisdom that we find in the Bible. We thank you that you are patient and merciful when we fail you. Help us to trust in Your love, Your provision, Your guidance, and Your timing. Help us to be an example to future generations who desperately need to know your truths.